asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has had calling for new guidelines on the disposal of medical waste; what consideration he is giving to this; and if he will make a statement.

I, together with my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment recently met a deputation of hon. Members from Basildon (Mr. Proctor), Thurrock (Dr. McDonald), and Essex, South-East (Sir B. Braine), with representatives of local authorities in London and Essex. The deputation was concerned about reports of medical waste being found in the Thames estuary.I agreed to ask the Health and Safety Executive to accelerate the publication of guidelines on the disposal of clinical waste by hospitals. I will be writing to health authorities in the London area to ask them to review, with

NHS England, 30 September (whole time equivalents)
	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981
Senior and junior administrative staff†	17,200	20,200	20,300	20,400	20,600	21,000	*
Total all administrative and clerical staff‡	91,900	98,500	99,000	100,300	103,000	105,400	108,600
* Not available.
† Includes all staff employed above higher clerical officer level.
‡ Total also includes staff employed by the dental estimates board and the prescription pricing authority.

The administrative and clerical staff group includes not only senior management staff but many other grades, such as medical secretaries, medical record staff and ward clerks as well as those engaged in introduction and maintenance of bonus incentive schemes. Central control of health authorities' management costs has required authorities to identify those staff in all disciplines who perform a predominantly managerial role and the proportion of NHS resources spent on this group has been reduced progressively. Following on from the reorganisation of the Health Service the proportion of NHS resources spent on this group will be reduced by a further 10 per cent.